YOUNG Coventry City fans partied with the players yesterday at a bash at the Ricoh Arena.

Members of the Junior Sky Blues and their families were invited to theJaguar Exhibition Hall for their annual party.

Children enjoyed meeting their heroes and had the chance to have a kickabout with the players, as well as pick up autographs and photographs.

Dan Walker, Coventry City ticketing manager, said:“The idea is for the club to give something back to the kids.

“It’s an event for the children which we do every year around Christmas so they can come and have fun and meet the players.

“It’s run by a group ofdedicated volunteers. In past years we’ve had up to 1,500 children come along and we’re hoping for the same this year.

“The players are always happy to come along. They appreciate the support they get from the young and old. They’re enjoying themselves, too, a lot of them are big kids themselves!”

Players took on their young fans at PlayStation games, as well as in 4-a-side football and Power Shot.

There was a number of bouncy castles as well as face-painting, arts and crafts, a DJ and the Jolly Jacks Play Bus to keep the kids entertained.

The seats from the dugout had also been brought up from the pitch for people to get into the shoes of Sky Blues manager Mark Robins.

Coventry Bees brought along one of their speedway bikes for people to try out, while children could also have photographs taken with Sky Blues mascot Sky Blue Sam.

Corrina Proctor, of Binley, brought along her daughter Sophia, four, and her niece and nephew Rosie, six, and Thomas Jeffs, ten.

She said: “My brother-in-law is a City supporter, and Thomas and Rosie go with him to matches. This is a great event to put on for the kids. Thomas especially is looking forward to getting some autographs.”

Thomas said he is fairly confident about the rest of the season.

“They’ve been doing a lot better although I’m a bit worried now the loans have gone. But I don’t think we’ll be relegated. We could even go up,” he said.

Lisa McCauley, of Stoke, brought along her children Courtney, 14, and Charlie King, nine, as well as four-year-old Jairay Stone, for whom she is childminder.

Lisa said: “Charlie is a JSB member and he loves coming up here and seeing the players and Sky Blue Sam. Jairay has never been to the football ground so I thought it would be nice to bring him up today.

“Charlie is a Sky Blue fan and has a season ticket but he also loves Chelsea.